That one regret

Before you jump into conclusions,  It's a career regret.

It takes courage to quit your job. But it takes more courage to go after your passion.

I've always wanted to be a make up artist but never had formal training. Since my sister and I have an artist blood, when I was young, I had painting lessons and had an exhibit with other artist children. I know I will always know how to paint but when I grew up, during my teenage years, I wanted to paint on people's faces that I did the make up of some of my sister's friends for their gimmick nights and some prom/debut events. But I never really had formal training.

Few years ago, my sister gifted me with a Bobbi Brown Make Up manual which I love and bring with me whenever I have a make up gig. For my birthday last 2011, my Kuya Stew gifted me with Body Shop's travel make up brushes, and his sister Chimayne, gifted me with a face brush when she came home to the Philippines for a visit. This year, I squealed in delight when my friend, Shom, gifted me with Bobbi Brown Travel make up brushes for Christmas and my sister gave me money to buy whatever I want and I saw a new make up manual at Powerbooks that sells for a very affordable price and it's on its last piece.

The sight of a make up palette relaxes me. I cannot go to the mall without dropping by a bookstore and the make up section. I don't always buy, I just really like to...well, ogle.

I used to live 5 minutes from SLIMS fashion school, walking distance from LaSalle College International and a short cab ride away from Frank Provost Make Up School. These schools offer Make Up Courses. My career regret is that I did not enroll myself in a Make Up school when I am still very near the schools I have mentioned and have the means and resources. I remember myself inquiring at LaSalle College International and Slims, I already inquired and have the school brochures, requirements list, rates and the schedule of the semester to enroll in. I even have contracted my friends to pose as my make up models for my portfolio, but during the end of my career in BPO,  I became tired from literally dragging myself to work and I'm tired and stressed most of the time. I couldn't find the time. Before I knew it, I lost my work-life balance, hit quarter-life crisis, moved back home and enrolled myself in Graduate School... which eventually, I see it now, 2 years later that my going back home had an important life-changing purpose.

But still, the thought of me making people's faces pretty never left me.

The Suesh Make Up Workshop

To jump start my year 2013, I signed up for Suesh Make Up workshop before 2012 ended.

I've known Suesh just when they were just starting out. They started in multiply as an online store for affordable make up brush sets and now they have stores. For more information, check our their official site.

A New Year and a bunch of "News"

First, "Happy News" Year.

New Job


Jan 2 is my first work day for the year 2013 and I don't want to ruin it by being late. For what seemed like a very long time, I was on time, on the dot, on the spot, as soon as the University Siren rang at 8 in the morning today. Never mind that most people are still on vacation, never mind that I am the second most punctual person in my new office that day. I have to admit I really am excited going to a new workplace.

During our oath taking

Perks of my new office:

• No more short distance commute.
• House is only 5 minutes away.
• Office is 3 minutes from the bank.
• I get to work and concentrate on my passion and interest: The internet and social media

Project FEETrail [December 2012]: 2012 is not for the faint hearted.

I've completed my Project Feet Trail Project that I started early this year. I just didn't think that I would be ending it in this picture.

Here's my project photo during the holidays. This holiday we:

• Did not have any Christmas tree or any Christmas decorations in the house. Just the old, year-long Christmas wreath hanging at the door, the same way Dad saw it the last time he was here.
• Braved driving in the wee hours and late at night. 
• Camped in a cemetery in lieu of going to Halloween parties - which will be the start of our new tradition.
• Opened the gates of a closed cemetery, few days before Christmas  just so we can visit Dad. I used to be scared of the eerie aura of the cemetery but now I really don't care.

Last year I asked for the Top 5 intagible things that I wanted for Christmas, and you know what? It all came true. I guess that's the benefit of having a blog, you can always archive your musings or whatever  it is that you jot down and see if it made sense a year later. This year, I was asked what I wanted this Christmas. I was not able to respond, because I had a wish in mind and it was to turn back time, but I know it is impossible.

I've always been a little scared of all these stuff about the end of the world, when December 21 came, I was on my toes. But then, my father's death kicked the butts of all the End of the world hype. I started looking fear in the eye, telling it to screw it. I'm not very good at it, but heck, I'm doing it.

This year have broken me down, but in exchange, I got a whole new spirit. I believed in miracles because I am one. I am very, very grateful. Even though Dad is no longer with us, and as the eldest, I have to act fast and take the first step to accept that Christmas will never be the same, I know he will always have my back and he is always watching over us.

The year 2012 is not for the fain hearted but my spirit remain optimistic for 2013.

Mochi, Mochi, Ano na teh?

I already knew about Mochiko ice cream mid part of this year and I've seen the Mochiko ice cream place at the new wing of Alabang Town Center back in September.

It is only this month that I got to try and see what it tastes like with the support of my grad school friends who I think will move their sweets diet too to year 2014!

Finally Found Joe's at LB

I was scheduled to meet my friend, Kat, for lunch and as usual, I don't know what really nice place to eat in. Good thing Kat suggested that we eat at Joe's in Umali.

I've been hearing about this cute little homey place called "JOE'S" somewhere in Umali Subdivision, Los Banos, near UPLB. I've been living in Los Banos since 2010 and it's only now that I had the chance to actually see and eat at Joe's.

We walked to what somewhat looked like a cute little secret place. This is Joe's.

Travel Laguna: Auravel Grande Resort and Hotel in San Pablo City

Auravel Grande Resort and Hotel, (Auravel derived from their grandparents name, Aurea and Avelino) just opened last December 4, 2012. It's only 10 minutes drive from the city San Pablo City town proper.  It just so happen that by the 20th of December, our cousin Ate Iyen, had her wedding reception there.

As wedding suppliers (wedding florist), and yours truly as wedding coordinator , we immediately saw the opportunity to take a look around and see what's in store.

First, we like the pool. San Pablo City is known for its cold water, but the pool water is warm and moderated.

Review: Maybelline's HyperSharp Liner

I may have found a competitor of the stress-resistant dip liner that I blogged about before.

Meet Maybelline's HyperSharp Liner. The answer to the easiest application of eyeliner.

Image Source

This is actually not new in the market but I got in only last week, wore it consistently for five days, before I made this review.